In preparation for configuring a new email account, decide whether you would like to use a POP or IMAP. This quick tip explains the pros and cons of each and why you would want to bother to know the difference.

MacLab and Mozy each offer off-site backup. I did a cost comparison and the results are in. For an online backup of a small office with 3 workstations, 100GB of data each (300GB total), MacLab’s service runs $60 per month, while Mozy runs $161.85. For a file server with 500GB of data, MacLab comes in at $60, Mozy $254.95. MacLab also includes installation on-site, monitoring, on-site backup and more. Mozy is a DIY operation. Amazon and Rackspace can’t compete either. Jump on while prices are still this low.

This tip applies to Apple Mail users that find their Inbox isn’t displaying new email in a timely manner or has missing messages. Mail keeps an index file responsible for displaying the content of the inbox, which gets out of sync. Luckily, fixing it is easy. Select the Inbox icon of the account under “Mailboxes,” then go to the Mailbox menu and select “Rebuild.” If this doesn’t solve the problem the Envelope Index for Apple Mail could be at fault, which is beyond the scope of this tip. Contact us for help.

Apple has released MacOS 10.66 and with it the App Store for Mac. If you haven’t heard of this, its where you can buy applications through an interface similar to the App store on your iPhone and iPad. So far this looks like mostly small apps and play things. The App Store can’t recognize and/or update applications previously installed on your computer through other means like a DVD install or standard download. And like any software install, you can still have issues regardless of the source. Apple is hoping to get big developers signed on. So far, I don’t see any signs of Adobe, Microsoft, Filemaker or any of the giants. To be continued.

Apple just released new MacBook Air models including a tiny 11-inch. The MacBook Air is coming along, but there are a few things you should know.

The battery for the 11-inch model has a life rated 2 hrs shorter than the 13-inch (5 hrs vs 7), there is no Firewire (USB only), no network jack (wireless only), no DVD drive (external available), 4GB of RAM is the max and more can’t be installed after the purchase! The good? It’s only 2 pounds and the solid state drive is quick. The MacBook Air could be a nice internet or business laptop, but not so great for design or other heavy lifting.

I went ahead and sprung for an iPad. It’s a spritely little thing and can I check email and cruise the web in the palm of my hand (ok hands, plural). Showing pictures of our newest and smallest family member, Juni, is a pleasure and the iPad can be used at the breakfast table without the wall of a laptop screen breaking up conversation. The onscreen keyboard works well and while I’m not a fan e-books, reading can be nice.